🙂A single person spends $855 per month in Da Nang vs $1,319 in Santa Cruz, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $1,389 per month in Da Nang vs $2,032 in Santa Cruz, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $1,923 per month in Da Nang vs $2,745 in Santa Cruz, rent included.
🙂Da Nang is about 35% cheaper than Santa Cruz, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both Da Nang and Santa Cruz are more affordable than the global median – Da Nang38% lower, Santa Cruz4% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Da Nang
Santa Cruz
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.33₫60.5K
$7.51JMD 1,180
-68.97%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$19.15₫496.2K
$62.6JMD 9,839
-69.43%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.49₫116.3K
$6.53JMD 1,025
-31.24%
Cappuccino
$1.78₫46.1K
$5.37JMD 844
-66.85%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.67₫17.4K
$1.25JMD 196
-46.40%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.32₫8,264
$0.68JMD 107
-52.94%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.32₫34.3K
$2.26JMD 355
-41.59%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.34₫60.7K
$3.12JMD 490
-25.00%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Da Nang
Santa Cruz
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.47₫38.2K
$4.21JMD 661
-65.08%
White Bread(500g)
$1.23₫32.0K
$2.53JMD 397
-51.38%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.06₫27.6K
$1.62JMD 254
-34.57%
Eggs
$1.54₫39.9K
$3.53JMD 554
-56.37%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.10₫339.5K
$11.47JMD 1,802
14.21%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.08₫105.7K
$6.35JMD 998
-35.75%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.19₫238.2K
$10.43JMD 1,638
-11.89%
Apples(1kg)
$2.59₫67.1K
$5.98JMD 939
-56.69%
Banana(1kg)
$1.11₫28.7K
$3.93JMD 618
-71.76%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.29₫33.4K
$7.46JMD 1,171
-82.71%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.46₫37.9K
$2.98JMD 469
-51.01%
Potato(1kg)
$1.12₫29.0K
$3.22JMD 506
-65.22%
Onion(1kg)
$1.27₫32.9K
$2.61JMD 411
-51.34%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.01₫26.2K
$3.15JMD 495
-67.94%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.49₫12.6K
$1.44JMD 226
-65.97%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.49₫38.7K
$9.61JMD 1,510
-84.50%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.85₫203.4K
$11.48JMD 1,803
-31.62%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.83₫21.6K
$2.95JMD 463
-71.86%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.19₫56.7K
$3.95JMD 620
-44.56%
🚌 Getting Around
Da Nang
Santa Cruz
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.34₫8,932
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$4.90₫126.9K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.03₫26.7K
$1.19JMD 187
-13.45%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.61₫15.8K
$3.07JMD 482
-80.13%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$19.51₫505.7K
$6.42JMD 1,009
203.89%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.91₫23.6K
$1.38JMD 217
-34.06%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$31.2K₫807.6M
$44.5KJMD 7.0M
-30.01%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.7K₫717.0M
$33.4KJMD 5.2M
-17.20%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Da Nang
Santa Cruz
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$89.1₫2.3M
$178JMD 27.9K
-49.83%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$6.02₫156.0K
$28.99JMD 4,554
-79.23%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$8.18₫211.9K
$52.1JMD 8,178
-84.29%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Da Nang
Santa Cruz
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$22.12₫573.4K
$37.11JMD 5,829
-40.39%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$5.33₫138.3K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.12₫81.0K
$13.09JMD 2,056
-76.17%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Da Nang
Santa Cruz
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$163₫4.2M
$361JMD 56.7K
-54.85%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$15.2K₫394.2M
$8,150JMD 1.3M
86.61%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Da Nang
Santa Cruz
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$44.51₫1.2M
$24.06JMD 3,780
85.00%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$28.06₫727.2K
$31.68JMD 4,977
-11.43%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$102₫2.6M
$76.3JMD 12.0K
33.14%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$82.8₫2.1M
$105JMD 16.4K
-20.90%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Da Nang
Santa Cruz
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$531₫13.8M
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$341₫8.8M
$313JMD 49.2K
9.05%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,044₫27.1M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$787₫20.4M
$504JMD 79.2K
56.10%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,768₫97.7M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,309₫33.9M
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Da Nang
Santa Cruz
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$349₫9.1M
$409JMD 64.3K
-14.64%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
10.72
9.45
13.44%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Da Nang: September 6, 2026
Last update for Santa Cruz: September 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
💰Salaries run about 17% higher in Santa Cruz, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $19.00 in Da Nang versus $63.0 in Santa Cruz. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $197 vs $374 – making Da Nang the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Da Nang vs Santa Cruz: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Da Nang and in Santa Cruz compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $855 in Da Nang, $1,319 in Santa Cruz – roughly 54% apart. Santa Cruz costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Da Nang compared to Santa Cruz?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,282 per month in Da Nang and $1,978 in Santa Cruz. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city is more expensive overall: Da Nang or Santa Cruz?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $855 in Da Nang and $1,319 in Santa Cruz. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Da Nang and Santa Cruz?
Kindergarten costs $163 per month in Da Nang and $361 in Santa Cruz. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
How far does $1,200 go in Da Nang compared to Santa Cruz?
$1,200 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $855 in Da Nang and $1,319 in Santa Cruz, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
How does quality of life compare between Da Nang and Santa Cruz?
It depends on your priorities. Da Nang has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $855 in Da Nang to $1,319 in Santa Cruz. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Da Nang or Santa Cruz safer for residents?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
How do I decide between Da Nang and Santa Cruz?
If budget matters most, go with Da Nang. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Santa Cruz makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.